echocardiographic-assessment-of-the-right-heart-in-mice

Echocardiographic Assessment of the Right Heart in Mice

Transgenic and toxic models of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are widely used to study the pathophysiology of PAH and to investigate potential ...

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

The success of hepatocellular therapies using stem or progenitor cell populations is dependent upon multiple factors including the donor cell, microenvironment, and etiology of the liver injury. The following experiments investigated the impact of TGF-beta1 on a previously described population of hepatic progenitor cells (HPC). The majority of the hepatic progenitor cells were resistant to endogenously produced TGF-beta1's proapoptotic and anti-proliferative effects unlike more well-differentiated cellular populations (e.g., mature hepatocytes). Surprisingly, in vitro TGF-beta1 supplementation significantly inhibited de novo hepatic progenitor cell colony formation possibly via an indirect mechanism(s). Therefore despite the HPC's direct resistance to supplemental TGF-beta1, this cytokine's inhibitory effect on colony formation could have a potential negative impact on the use of these cells as a therapy for patients with liver disease.

Hepatic progenitor cell resistance to TGF-beta1's proliferative and apoptotic effects.

Right ventricular (RV) function is a strong independent predictor of outcome in a number of distinct cardiopulmonary diseases. The RV has a remarkable ability to sustain damage and recover function which may be related to unique anatomic, physiologic, and genetic factors that differentiate it from the left ventricle. This capacity has been described in patients with RV myocardial infarction, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and chronic thromboembolic disease as well as post-lung transplant and post-left ventricular assist device implantation. Various echocardiographic and magnetic resonance imaging parameters of RV function contribute to the clinical assessment and predict outcomes in these patients; however, limitations remain with these techniques. Early diagnosis of RV function and better insight into the mechanisms of RV recovery could improve patient outcomes. Further refinement of established and emerging imaging techniques is necessary to aid subclinical diagnosis and inform treatment decisions.

Right ventricular plasticity and functional imaging.

Acute massive pulmonary embolism results in a rise in pulmonary vascular resistance and acute right ventricular dilation and systolic dysfunction. In unstable patients who cannot safely undergo computed tomography, echocardiography can often provide direct and indirect evidence of pulmonary embolism. We present a case in which clinical and echocardiographic evidence provided sufficient evidence of PE to initiate treatment. Dynamic improvement in hemodynamics and echocardiographic parameters of RV function indicated successful treatment.

Acute improvement in right ventricular function after treatment of presumed massive pulmonary embolism with thrombolytics.

Hemodynamic improvement of pulmonary arterial hypertension after bariatric surgery: potential role for metabolic regulation.

We hypothesized that RV stroke work index (RVSWI) and pulmonary capacitance (PC) would increase after treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and that prostanoids would have a stronger effect than oral therapy.

Prostanoids But Not Oral Therapies Improve Right Ventricular Function in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Differentiation of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary venous hypertension (PVH) often requires right heart catheterization (RHC). We sought to determine whether a combination of clinical and echocardiographic variables could predict the pulmonary diastolic to wedge (PAd-PWP) gradient and thus differentiate patients with PAH and PVH.

Article	Year
Hepatic progenitor cell resistance to TGF-beta1's proliferative and apoptotic effects. Biochemical and biophysical research communications\| PubMed ID: 15721312	2005
Right ventricular plasticity and functional imaging. Pulmonary circulation\| PubMed ID: 23130100	2012
Acute improvement in right ventricular function after treatment of presumed massive pulmonary embolism with thrombolytics. Pulmonary circulation\| PubMed ID: 23372938	2012
Hemodynamic improvement of pulmonary arterial hypertension after bariatric surgery: potential role for metabolic regulation. Diabetes care\| PubMed ID: 23431096	2013
Prostanoids But Not Oral Therapies Improve Right Ventricular Function in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. JACC. Heart failure\| PubMed ID: 24015376	2013
Predictors of diastolic-to-wedge gradient in patients evaluated for pulmonary hypertension. PloS one\| PubMed ID: 24124561	2013

Evan Brittain

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